Top-seeded Ann Li secured her place in the semifinals of the Japan Open in Osaka after weathering a tough challenge from Austrian teenager Lilli Tagger on Friday, October 23, 2026. Li advanced with a 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(0) victory, booking her 11th career semifinal appearance at the tournament and playing for her seventh career final.
Tested thoroughly in the deciding set, the 26-year-old world No. 25 responded with a dominant performance in the tiebreak, sealing the match with a low forehand volley winner. The win improved Li’s season record to 31-25, matching her career-high win total from the previous year. Having previously defeated top-ranked players Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek earlier this season, Li marks her third semifinal appearance of what has become the strongest campaign of her career.
In Sunday’s semifinal round, Li will face fellow American Ashlyn Krueger. Krueger advanced comfortably earlier in the day by defeating fourth-seeded Australian Talia Gibson 6-1, 6-3. The 2023 tournament champion Krueger improved her career record at the Osaka event to 9-2, bringing a ranking of No. 55 into the matchup.
Li holds a 2-0 advantage in prior head-to-head meetings against Krueger, most recently claiming a 6-4, 6-2 victory at Beijing earlier this month.
Meanwhile, the opposite side of the singles draw shaped up with international contenders. Britain’s Katie Boulter rallied from a first-set deficit to overcome Antonia Ruzic 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 to reach the final four. The eighth-seeded Boulter will square off against Czech player Katerina Siniakova for the other spot in Sunday’s championship match. Siniakova, the world No. 1 in doubles, advanced with a dominant 6-1, 6-2 sweep against American qualifier Mary Stoiana.
